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Re: Crystal Ball 2009

Let me take a stab at this ANP.

here is a list of the 2009 Steeler FAs

QB Charlie Batch-Dixon after this season will be the man
OT Marvell Smith-very tough question...but I believe the Steelers drafted Hill as the future. May heaven help us.
LB Clint Kriewald-seriously? Isn't he gone?
LB James FARRIOR *-well I think Farrior will sign a reasonable contract to stay...but if not I think Timmons slides over to Farriors position and Foote starts.
DB Bryant McFadden-He won't start this season...he signs a reasonable contract.

Re: Crystal Ball 2009

The list is missing Nate Washington......just thought I would throw that out there!

I will give this one a shot though!

As far as the OL
Marvel: if he proves he is healthy and the ownership gets squared away I think the team will try to resign him, maybe 3-4 yr deal.
Kemo: if performance meets expectations, I think he gets a nice pay raise as well
W Colon: he is restricted and I think that if he plays well this year which I think that he will, he will get an extension too!
Essex: not sure what to think about this guy? He has performed well, especially last year, when given the opp to be on the field, but I think that he may look to other places for a chance to start.
Max: goodbye, should have been gone this year

As far as DL
I think the team needs to seriously look into free agency and the draft to rebuild the defensive front. I know the team doesn't typically sign others free agents but I think that this needs to be reconsidered with the DL b/c I don't see Lawrence Jackson slipping to them in the draft. Not sure what FA's will be available if any of substance, but the team needs to look into this area.

Secondary:
BMac: needs to be resigned but not sure if he will want to stay! I would like to see a middle of the road deal with him getting a chance to start next year, but we will have to wait and see!

I would've liked to have gotten Mike Jenkins in this years draft but Mendy was there (which was the right choice) so I would like to see a first day pick devoted to this position next year.

I believe the depth at the safety position will be fine. The Steelers typically resign their own RFA's so Anthony Smith will be here next year, as well as Mundy and Gay!

All in all the team is pretty set at most spots moving forward. I think the biggest problem facing the team is the DL. The team needs to find a way to resolve this quickly or it could mean a couple of long years on D.

Re: Crystal Ball 2009

Originally Posted by AkronSteel

As far as DL
I think the team needs to seriously look into free agency and the draft to rebuild the defensive front. I know the team doesn't typically sign others free agents but I think that this needs to be reconsidered with the DL b/c I don't see Lawrence Jackson slipping to them in the draft. Not sure what FA's will be available if any of substance, but the team needs to look into this area.

Lawrence Jackson did slip to us in the draft, but we took Mendenhall instead. The USC d-lineman was taken a few spots later in the first round, by Seattle.

I think you are instead referring to LSU d-lineman Tyson Jackson. At 6'5" and 292 lbs., he has prototype 3-4 DE size, and a quick first step to boot. He wasn't as good last season as he was as a sophomore, though. Now that Glenn Dorsey has moved on to the NFL, we'll see how he does as the main man on their DL before we determine where he may fall in the '09 draft.

The Rams' offense featuring weapons such as Marshall Faulk, Torrey Holt, and Isaac Bruce were known as "The Greatest Show on Turf"

The Steelers' offense featuring weapons such as Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant should be known as "The Greatest Show on Grass"

This has nothing at all to do with respective playing surfaces at the Edward Jones Dome vs. Heinz Field.

Re: Crystal Ball 2009

...I think you are instead referring to LSU d-lineman Tyson Jackson. At 6'5" and 292 lbs., he has prototype 3-4 DE size, and a quick first step to boot.

I like your thinking Ruthless...but don't forget about guys like Fili Moala or Dorell Scott either.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust & sweat & blood...

Re: Crystal Ball 2009

Originally Posted by RuthlessBurgher

Originally Posted by AkronSteel

As far as DL
I think the team needs to seriously look into free agency and the draft to rebuild the defensive front. I know the team doesn't typically sign others free agents but I think that this needs to be reconsidered with the DL b/c I don't see Lawrence Jackson slipping to them in the draft. Not sure what FA's will be available if any of substance, but the team needs to look into this area.

Lawrence Jackson did slip to us in the draft, but we took Mendenhall instead. The USC d-lineman was taken a few spots later in the first round, by Seattle.

I think you are instead referring to LSU d-lineman Tyson Jackson. At 6'5" and 292 lbs., he has prototype 3-4 DE size, and a quick first step to boot. He wasn't as good last season as he was as a sophomore, though. Now that Glenn Dorsey has moved on to the NFL, we'll see how he does as the main man on their DL before we determine where he may fall in the '09 draft.

You're right I did mean Tyson Jackson, my bad!! You're right it is never good to rate players prior to the season as far as the draft goes, but with this guys talent and size I don't see him slipping to the late first round. The NFL is always infatuated with guys like this.